Newspapers' influence on public perception : an in-depth analysis of the Sylvia King case and the Ġiġi and Ġuża Grima case

Abstract

This study investigates the techniques by which newspapers influence public perception in regards to local murder cases. Two case scenarios were analyzed in order to answer this question. The analysis involved two research methods, namely archival research and content analysis. Amalgamating these two research methods the author endeavored to scrutinize newspaper articles regarding two murder cases in order to reach a conclusion on how adjectives, photos and articles were used in newspaper reportage. Furthermore, Chibnall' s (1977:23) eight imperatives were utilized to highlight these techniques. Three sociological perspectives; labelling theory, conflict theory and social representations were also interlinked with the newspaper reportage. Conflict theory provides a plausible explanation to the context from which the occurence of murder originates. Moreover, labelling theory and social representation theory focus on the reportage following the murder incidence. Topics such as hard news and soft news, trial by the media and the dark figure of crime were also discussed. From this investigation it emerged that newspapers had a similar way by which to break the story. Sensationalism was also discussed with its setbacks in regards to objective reportage. Various Maltese authors in the field of journalism were also cited. This thesis concludes with a number of ethical recommendations for journalists when reporting crime especially murder.